Swim Across America, a Boston-based non-profit, hosted the Triangle Indoor Water Festival to Fight Cancer Saturday at Carmichael Gymnasium. The event raised $22,100 to fund research for the prevention and treatment of cancer.
Money raised at the event supports the cancer research of John Cavanagh, Professor of Biochemistry at N.C. State’s Cavanagh Lab.
“We’re working on new chemotherapy drugs,” Cavanagh said. “Money raised at the event is going towards some very much needed funding for the future.”
Event participation was open to anyone in the public who swims recreationally. Cavanagh swam for the event with several of his students to support the cause and get involved with the Swim Across America event.
The N.C. State swim, dive, water polo and club swimming teams all volunteered at the event. Members of the UNC women’s water polo team and Raleigh Swim Association were also present. The YMCA of the Triangle Area had a team swim at the event with a wide age group range.
“We have had this event every year,” said senior Kaitlin Mills, a psychology major on the swim team. “It is very important to us to help raise money to help people with cancer.”
Olympians Susan Walsh, Ray Carey, Dane Velez and Craig Beardsley were also present because of their involvement with Swim Across America.
Former Olympian Craig Beardsley came from his home in New Jersey to attend. He has been involved with Swim Across America for 26 years. Beardsley held the world record for the 200 meter butterfly from 1980-1983.
“We’re real excited to be here for N.C. State and be a part of this group here,” Beardsley said. “I think we’ve got a good base here that we’ll really build on. We swim, donate, volunteer and use our love for the water to raise money for cancer research.”
Susan Walsh, who qualified for the 1980 Olympics and won two medals at the 1982 World Aquatics Championships, also attended the event. Walsh is the former American record holder for the 100 yard, 100 meter backstroke.
“My first event was last year and I’ve been hooked ever since,” Walsh said. “I felt it is really important for me to do what I could as far as participating in Olympian clinics or raising money for cancer research. I feel good about the organization and what it’s doing.”
University Recreation turned the Willis R. Casey Aquatic Center into a mock open water course at the indoor pool with buoys placed at each corner of the pool.
Swimmers competed in individual swims, relays and aqua-aerobics. There was also kayaking and water polo. According to Mary Demilia, who coordinated the event, Saturday’s water festival hosted Swim Across America’s first well-organized, large-scale game of water polo.
“N.C. State was a wonderful host for the event,” Craig Beardsley said. “We want to be engaged with the community and have this be an annual event. We are looking forward to having it again next year.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the Swim Across America organization can visit its website swimacrossamerica.org.
